Nov. 10.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 2271

Government Meteorological Observatory.

METEOROLOGICAL Observations at Kelburn, Wellington, for the Month of September, 1932. Observations taken at 9 a.m.

Altitude of Observatory, 415 ft.

Mean earth temperature at 1 ft., 49·6° ; and at 3 ft., 49·2°. Number of rain days, 15.

DIRECTION OF WIND.

NOTE.—A cloudy month with moderate south-east winds prevailing. Barometric pressure throughout the month was generally abnormally high. Precipitation was 66 per cent. below the mean of previous years, but the number of days on which rain fell (15) was equal to the average (15·1). The total bright sunshine of 130·6 hours was only 37 per cent. of the possible. There were three sunless days. Frost was recorded on the grass on two mornings. Mean dew-point at 9 a.m., 43·0°; and mean vapour pressure, 0·277 in.

NOTES ON THE WEATHER FOR SEPTEMBER, 1932.

General.—During each of the past five months rainfall has been below normal for the greater part of the Dominion, and the last three months have been exceptionally dry. Taken as a whole, indeed, the period has probably been the driest, for the time of the year, experienced during the past sixty or seventy years. Fortunately, New Zealand can dispense with much of its winter rain, and the reports on the condition of stock and pastures are mostly very favourable, particularly so far as the North Island is concerned. Dairy herds are giving good yields; there has generally been a good percentage of lambs which are doing well; losses of ewes and lambs have been slight; and the weather has been favourable for the preparation of the fields and the sowing of crops. The rain that fell during the month came mainly in the form of a steady, fine rain in cool and cloudy weather, and consequently the maximum benefit was received from it. Heavy, soaking rains will, however, be needed during the next two months if good crops and sufficient feed for stock are to be ensured. In Taranaki and parts of the South Island, especially Marlborough, the situation is somewhat precarious.

As regards temperature and sunshine, the prevailing easterly winds exercised a marked controlling influence on the conditions experienced. On the east coast, especially of the North Island, sunshine was very much below average. The persistent dull weather resulted in temperatures, also, being much below normal, although after the 3rd there was no really very cold weather. But the farther westwards one goes, the greater is the improvement noted until on the west coast, as for instance at New Plymouth and Hokitika, and in parts of the interior, both temperature and sunshine prove to have been above the average for September.

Rainfall.—Again, very many places had less than half the average rainfall and deficits of over 75 per cent. are by no means uncommon. Nevertheless, in eastern districts of the North Island from Hawke’s Bay to East Cape and in parts of the Coromandel Peninsula, more than the normal rainfall was received, Hawke’s Bay, particularly, having a very wet month.

Temperatures.—In Hawke’s Bay temperatures were three degrees or more below normal, and elsewhere on the east coast the departure was between two and three degrees. West of the main ranges, the month was nowhere much colder than usual, and on the west coast and in Central Otago it was actually rather warmer. On the whole, therefore, there was a distinct improvement as compared with the preceding months.

Pressure Systems.—There was an extraordinary persistence of high pressure around New Zealand during September, but especially in about latitude 45° S. On the 1st and 2nd a fairly deep double westerly depression passed, both primary and secondary bringing pressures in the neighbourhood of 29·4 inches to the southern extremity of the Dominion. There-after, barometers practically never fell below 29·8 inches in the Foveaux Strait area. It was in connection with the depression